It's a bird, it's a plane...yep, it's a plane

On Saturday, the Aero Club on base was having an open house so we went to check it out.  This is one thing I love about being an Air Force family.  There are all these things to go and see.  I think Adam will really enjoy it when he's a little bit older.  BUT...

It looks like these guys are having a great time as it is!  We ran into my good friend Janelle and her two boys while we were there.  

This was my favorite plane that we saw (it looked the coolest).

There was a demonstration with the planes flying in formation.  They had it set up so we could hear the pilots talking to each other on the radios, which I thought was cool.

More formation flying.

The fam watching the show from the hanger.  There was free food too...never a bad thing!

This plane belongs to one of Phil's friends, so I thought it deserved its own picture.

Another fun day brought to you by the United States Air Force!

A Tooth!

On May 29th, Adam's first tooth finally broke through the surface of his gums!  We tried to get pictures of it, but it's still pretty hard to see with his tongue and drool in the way.

It's the lower right tooth as you are looking at him, if you can see it.

Such a big boy!

Outside

We've been enjoying some time outside in our tiny yard lately.  We can't wait to have a deck and a bigger yard, but for now this will have to do.  At least we have beautiful sunshine on our faces!  For some reason the winter was a lot harder on me this year.  I don't know if I've been spoiled now living in California or if I just needed to be able to get out after having the baby or what, but this Minnesota Girl was going crazy!  Doesn't sunlight do something amazing for the soul? 

Since Adam has been sleeping better, Mama has enjoyed more moments like this :)

He knows the good stuff when he sees it...

almost got it...

sweet success!

(Don't worry, the bottle was empty.)

Month Number Six...check!

Hi, everybody!  I'm six months old!  Can you believe it?

This month has brought so many changes with it for Adam and for our family.  He is such a fun little guy and we have lots to share with you.  We've noticed a big change in the way he plays.  I think Phil put it best when he said to me one day, "it's like he has a plan."  He definitely has a look in his eye like he knows what he wants to do and then he moves deliberately to do it.

He gets up on all fours now - all the time.  He rocks back and forth and sometimes will do a belly flop to move himself forward.  He looks so grown up to me when he does this!  I know all these pictures are pretty much the same, but I just love his faces in them, so you'll just have to look at all of them :)

Mom, why are you taking all these pictures?  Enough already!

Another HUGE development: he sleeps!  He has become somewhat of a napping fool, and it is wonderful!  This is his favorite position to sleep in: on his belly with his butt up in the air - hilarious! 

We've been working on solids for about a week and a half now.  He seems to like sweet potatoes much better than bananas.

He continues to be very social and meets new friends constantly.  Phil and I have been enjoying getting to know our neighbors, who also attend our church.  Their little boy was so excited to hold Adam - so cute!  Adam was pretty tired when this was taken, so he wasn't too smiley.  The best part was when Adam started to cry a little bit, Ethan turned to me and said, "Ok, you can have him back now."

He's also graduated to his "big boy carseat."  He was just getting too heavy for Phil and me to lug him around in his infant seat.  He seems to be ok with the switch.

We've been having so much fun!  Especially with him sleeping so much better, Phil and I have more energy during the day, more freedom to get together with friends, and more time to spend with each other.  We'll be taking our first family vacation together to California in June, so I'm sure we'll have lots to report after that!  We just can't believe how fast he is growing and changing!

Gone Fishing

This weekend we decided to try fishing on the Mad River.  It was great to be outside and enjoying the nice weather.  We made a stop at the sporting goods store and picked up some tackle and fishing licenses, then at the bait shop to get some night crawlers and we were ready to go!

Phil did most of the fishing on this trip, but we plan to go again soon so I can have a turn.  Unfortunately, I don't have a picture to show you of Phil with a fish, but we were just scoping out the scene anyway.

Adam and I camped out in the shade and looked at all the different bugs, leaves, and flowers.  I could have sat there and listened to the water all day.

Oh, and I taught Adam about "selfy" photos.  This is his first one, and you can see he's a little confused by the whole idea.  At least you get to see his super cool hat.  It has fish on it, so it was perfect for the event.

What's Goin' On?

Great.  Just when I thought I had this whole "life" thing pretty well figured out, Mom and Dad threw me another curve ball.  I suppose it's not so bad.  Maybe it is time to branch out, but let's face it, I love my milk and the packaging ain't too bad.

What's goin' on here???

So far we've tried rice cereal and bananas.  He's not completely sold yet.  Once the food is in there, he seems to like it, but he doesn't like the spoon going in.

Another milestone for the little man!

Dunked!

A couple of weeks ago, we got a family membership at the YMCA.  This may sound silly to you since we can use the gym on base for free, but I have three words for you: Free Child Care!  Or is "childcare" all one word?  Then I would have two words for you.  Either way it is a great deal and has made it so much easier for me to get back in the gym to shed some baby weight and just be healthier in general.  

Today, we took Adam swimming in the pool for the first time to see how he liked it.  He loved it!  He liked kicking his feet and being moved from side to side in the water.  He also was very interested in watching other kids playing in the water.

Phil tried to teach him the back stroke.  It may be a while before we let him try it on his own.

Mama and Adam.

I don't know why this one turned out so foggy, but I still like it.

I love this sequence of photos: Adam pre-dunk...

mid-dunk...

and post-dunk!

There is an outdoor pool by our house, and we are looking forward to enjoying that AND swimming in the lake at the family reunion in July!

On the Move!

This kid is going to be crawling before we know it! He has mastered rolling and can also scoot himself backwards and get up on all fours.  We may need to rethink the items we keep on the bottom shelves...

Please note: He started off in the middle of that blanket you see in the bottom of the picture.

Caught in the act!

Just My Size

Adam goes in the nursery at church and has had many play dates with kids that are older than he is, but on Friday, we had a play date with someone who is just his size.  This is Adam's new friend Eliana.  Eliana was born just a day after Adam.  The babies had a little snooze while the mamas enjoyed a nice walk and chat, and then we let the babies have some time to get to know each other.

Even though Eliana's eyes are closed, this is the cutest picture.

Adam thought their relationship was moving a bit fast at first...

but then he seemed ok with it.

I'm sure these two have lots of fun ahead!

My First Mothers' Day

This year I got to celebrate my first Mothers' Day as a mother.  Being a mom has made my life fuller than I could ever have imagined, and it has also made me appreciate my own mother so much more.  She has always been my best friend, and now we share even more.  Thank you, mom, for all you have done for me, and thank you, Peg, for raising a wonderful man, husband, and father for me to marry.

Adam, you have changed my life, and I love you so much!

 

Me and my sweet boy on Mothers' Day.

Dedication Weekend...Part 2

Here are some more pictures that I wanted to share from this past weekend.

We've decided that Adam's defining features that get the most attention are his smile and his mohawk, which is best shown from the back.

He tried out his high chair for the first time.  It was a good deal.

He enjoyed many walks with grandparents and Aunt Grace.  I believe the record was three in one day!  Here is some post-walk relaxation going on.

Getting some playtime in with Grandpa Rob.

Adam's Dedication

Sunday, May 10, our family gathered to celebrate Adam's dedication.  It was a wonderful day, and it was great to have family and friends to rejoice with us as Phil and I dedicated Adam to Jesus and made the important commitment to teach him how to live with Jesus in his heart.

Here we are up front listening to Pastor Rob, the children's pastor,  talk for a bit.  Pastor Rob is awesome and we love the commitment our church has made to kids and families.

Adam got a little New Testament with his name on the front and also a letter that Phil and I wrote to him.  He will open the letter when he accepts Jesus as his savior.

Praying for Adam.

It was so great that both wonderful sets of grandparents and Adam's Uncle Matt and Aunt Grace were able to come for his special day.

After church, we had a BBQ with some of our friends from church.  Adam really enjoyed himself, as you can see.  About 10 seconds after this picture was taken, Adam almost pushed the entire cake onto the floor!  Luckily, the cat-like reflexes of Grandmas Peg and Ann saved the day.

Papa Phil on the grill...

The grandmas made  yummy salads and got everything ready to enjoy.  Thank you, Grandmas!

Adam got a little tired with all the excitement and enjoyed some relaxing time with Grandpa Rob.

The little girls decided it would be a good idea to feed the fish instead of wasting the extra hot dog buns.

Proud Daddy and Mama.

We were totally not expecting gifts, but Adam had some to open anyway.  I was planning on just opening them at home, but Adam's little girlfriends were so excited for him to open them that it had to happen!  He got a couple of really good Bibles for little ones and a CD of Bible songs.  Such thoughtful friends!  The girls were totally into it...look how sweet they are!

Adam was pretty into eating his cards.

We love you, Adam, and continue to pray for you each day!